Angel Making Sessions

James Bay Community Project: 547 Michigan

Monday, Feb. 23rd: 12:30 -2:30 pm


Cordova Bay United Church 813 Claremont

Wedneday March 18th 1:00 -3:00 pm

A note from Malawi

Teddy Phiri's email

Email has been down for most of that last 3 months between us and our group in Malawi.

We have just had a brief note from Teddy describing the progress of crops that have been planted with support from African Aids Angels.

"The rains are falling except that in some of our areas where we have beneficiaries it (the rain) is erratic but generally it is good. They should be able to get food security. As usual these people are very grateful. Sometimes we feel embarrassed how they express their gratefulness knowing that the people who deserve it are far far away in Canada."

What happened to my angel?

5000 angels were made in Victoria in 2008.

4000 were made by "Out of Town" volunteers

By Dec. 31, 2008 in Victoria there were less than 100 angels still available. Those were intended for an earlier craft fair but it was cancelled due to the snow.

Every angel counts!

Where do your angels go?

Some of the angels have made their way to the prairies and to Nova Scotia. We have three new groups getting organized because they were inspired by your angels.

Angels 2009

Angel Changes

The Angel Board is exploring ways to spread the workload and share the responsibilities of creating and displaying African Aids Angels.

We'll be posting these changes over the next few weeks so keep watching for the details.

Here are a few:


Pick up Points for Angel Bodies

There will be two pick up points:

at the homes of Vic Parsons and at Mary Bomford.

Send a note to africanaidsangels@gmail.com to say you how many bodies you need.

We'll let you know where to pick them up. They can be left at the door so pick up times are flexible.

Bodies come packaged in 10's or 20's complete with tags, glue gun glue and raffia.



Fabric, Bling, Ribbons etc.

Mary will continue to store these materials. Gail assist in sorting and maintaining the collection.

You can make an appointment to come to the angel "free store" and collect materials for yourself or your group during the second week of each month.

Please plan ahead. Mary needs to be at home for these pick ups.



Angel Independence

Many groups are taking almost complete charge of their operation.

They collect their own fabric and bling with occasional support from the central supply.

The next step will be to find volunteers within your group who can begin to take responsibility for putting hair on the group's angels. Currently there is a very heavy load on 3 volunteers who do most of the angel hairdressing. We appreciate those volunteers who already do their own hair.



Angel Bodies

We will continue to supply bodies that are sanded, painted and glued. We are always in need of volunteers to glue bodies together.



Straight scissors and Pinking Shears

Gail and Erin, two board members, are working hard to find sources of donated shears and scissors.

Pinking shears are very expensive and we don't expect members to buy them. However, they are key to cutting fabric. We will let you know as they become available. Please let people know we are need of good quality second hand pinking shears.

Thanks

Cloth Castle donates scissors

Thanks very much to Cloth Castle on Goldstream Ave. in Victoria for the donation of much-needed pinking shears and fabric scissors.

If anyone else would like to donate scissors or glue guns for angel-making sessions, please send an email to africanaidsangels@gmail.com.

From the Heart, Quilt Project

From the Heart

Embellished Quilt Project

Auction and Sale
Sunday Feb. 8

Thanks to the organizers for including African Aids Angels in their very successful fundraiser.

Angel-makers Out-of-town

Powell River BC

Liz writes :"Despite family commitments I was able to make up some dolls with fellow staff members at my school, and with the Grade 7 class. The kids in the class really enjoyed the project and helped to offer their dolls at the school's Christmas concert. Some of the dolls were also offered at a local craft fair by a friend, and at Paperworks Gift Gallery in Powell River.

Thanks for the support you provide through the website. The blog is a great idea."

Campbell River

Jane sent a note from Carihi Secondary School in Campbell River: "Please find enclosed a cheque for AIDS angels that our Peer Support class made. These angels were then exchanged for donations with family, staff, and friends, and again at a recent school band concert. Our Peer Support Class is very pleased to offer our support to this worthwhile cause."

Vancouver

Susan writes: "I enclosing two donations. The first comes from angels picked up by staff at Charles Dickens Elementary School, made by a group in Vancouver. The second comes from two classes of grade 3 to 5 students. The students each made a cone angel and made a donation. They kept the angels for themselves or family or friend. We received help from a group in Vancouver so thanks to Marjorie, Leona, Pearl, Gladys and Miki for sharing their expertise. We were so proud of the students for their efforts to donate and also their thought and care in creating their angels."

Siyabonga

We've heard of the death on Dec. 18 of one of the young orphans at Thembalethu. Siyabonga Vezi was 2 and 1/2 years old. His mother had died from AIDS and he was being cared for by his blind grandmother before he entered the orphanage. When Lorraine and Vic worked at the orphanage in the fall of 2007, Siyabonga was admitted to the local hospital, an hour away, on two occasions. He seemed to recover, but was very weak and thin. The virus took a toll and he apparently died from a brain infection. His death is a poignant reminder of what African AIDS Angels is all about. The Zulu name Siyabonga means "We thank you."

Angels with a Heart

Victoria Angel Makers

We have been asked to take part in a fundraiser Feb. 8. A group of quilters is raising funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. They have generously offered us space for African Aids Angels. We will use the funds we raise that day for our 4 projects.

"Heart" is the theme, as the event is close to Valentines Day. We will need 50 angels. Maryl, our volunteer, will have 50 small hearts to decorate our angels. If you wish to make angels with a Valentine's look you can submit them to this event. Contact Vic at lvparsons@shaw.ca , to arrange to deliver your angels. He will also have angel kits with bodies, tags, raffia and glue gun sticks.

Angel Making in 2009

2009 African Aids Angels

Angels will take a well deserved rest in January.

Sessions will begin again at:

James Bay Community Project: 547 Michigan

Monday, Jan. 26: 12:30 -2:30

Monday, Feb. 23rd: 12:30 -2:30


LDS Church, 2990 Quadra

Feb. 10: 7-9 p.m. , enter by back door

Where to send donations

Donations

If you have funds to submit, please write a cheque or postal order to African AIDS Angels, and mail it

c/o 1855 Neil Street

Victoria BC V8R 3C6.

If you have questions, please send an email to africanaidsangels@gmail.com

Thanks and Happy New Year!

Oak Bay Student Fundraiser

For the third consecutive year, students at Oak Bay High School have raised funds for African Aids Angels. This year the school's Leadership group raised more than $2100 for our African projects. Thanks are due to teachers Corrina Simpson and Mark Schippers, and to student co-ordinator Mary Erlick, for their efforts on AAA's behalf. Also, to our own Barb McKrow who has been instrumental in bringing our project to the forefront at the high school. Finally, credit must also be given to Sara Johnston, who spoke to the students about her experience working as a volunteer for three months at Thembalethu orphanage in South Africa.

Angel-making Groups Outside Victoria

There are hard-working and enthusiastic groups of angel makers in a variety of locations. They make a major contribution to the funds we send to southern Africa each year. This blog entry brings news from some of the groups. [If you click on photos, they will enlarge.]

Roberts Creek, BC

Roberts Creek is on the Sunshine Coast near Sechelt. Miki works with a group there, and coordinates with friends making angels in Vancouver. Many of their angels are sewn rather than glued, and they ask for $12 donations for those. Sometimes they add a folded red ribbon as an AIDS reminder. They also supply angels to the Seymour Art Gallery in Vancouver.

"We had an "inspiration" workshop with the Roberts Creek group and the Vancouver people recently. We shared ideas, new patterns, lots of encouragement and 240 angel forms to dress up and sell....and a delicious potluck lunch.

Some makers from Vancouver will be working on more cone form angels but we will continue with our angels here. I really appreciate the pictures on the website....really very attractive and we've picked up on ideas.

Someone didn't like our original stands so my husband constructed stair shelves which I covered with pale fabric. The loops on top of the angels' heads are hooked onto individual hooks to stabilize them on the narrow shelves. Each of the 35 angels are clearly displayed and we can see at a glance where we have to 'refill.' (This picture is in the Angels Gallery referred to above.)

Leona (Vancouver) has a supply of angels magnets which we give to people who are very generous or buy several angels. The magnets are business-card size with the logo of African Aids Angels, which she ran off on the copy machine and cut out and glued onto the magnets. We also have them on a magnetic stand and people can put any amount of donation in a container in exchange for a magnet."

Parksville/Qualicum Kairos

A small group in Parksville/Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island is coordinated by Julianna. Kairos is an ecumenical church movement promoting social justice. They sent some photos of a recent sale and one of their work parties. The total of funds raised by this group is truly outstanding.

If you click on a photo, it will enlarge.




Venice California

Sandra first saw AIDS Angels in Victoria and took the idea back to Venice California. The group's angels are available in a local shop. Recently Sandra sent this photo and explanation.

"These are students enrolled in an introductory class for occupational therapy at Santa Monica College. The instructor, my friend and colleague, had the students make angels to learn about activity analysis and therapy. The students loved the project, made some great angels for us, and some decided to donate money to the project as well.
We're busy creating stock for the holiday sales. Everyone loves the angels."

Short Notes from Elsewhere

Lenore in Chemainus says that the angels continue to go very well and they can barely keep up.

Doreen in Duncan has taken responsibility for keeping Wishes supplied. It's an New Age store and the angels have been flying out the door.

Carol in Campbell River says her daughter is at university in Squamish this year with a box of angel-making supplies. She and a friend made them in high school last year and will continue. Carol adds "They're both very 'crafty' so I know their angels will be beautifully made.

At the weekend I went to hear Romeo Dallaire speak in Courtenay. He spoke of the absolute importance of Non-Government Aid Agencies in troubled areas and it certainly made me think of the African AIDS Angels project and the difference we are making in the world."

Congratulations and Happy New Year to all of the angel-making groups and individuals.

Angels in Shops

If your friends and co-workers have missed out on getting angels at local craft fairs, don't forget there are generous shops which carry a small rack of angels all year-round. The list is always available on our website.

Thanks go to the volunteers who have made these contacts and keep the stores supplied.

Saltspring Seeds for Malawi Newsletter

Here is the current addition of Seeds for Malawi's newsletter.

Click on newsletter to enlarge,

Letter from the Outreach program

We received a letter from Sister Evarista in South Africa. She is in charge of the Outreach program at Assisi. (She is also the cousin of Nobel Peace Prize winner Albert Luthuli). African AIDS Angels donated $2000 to their community Outreach program in 2007, in addition to funds for the Thembalethu orphanage. She refers to people that our volunteers Vic and Lorraine met when they worked with Sister Evarista last summer.

"Thank you very much for the donation ($2000). We buy food parcels with your money and feed our orphans and sick people...some of those you know have died. Mr. Shibe Petry (the one with a stroke whom we helped get a pension and wheelchair) died in October. His sister is again coming for food because she was dependent upon his pension...the situation in Africa is not good. Food is very expensive. When we buy food parcels it is never enough for these sick people and so many orphans. Thank you very much for your help. May God bless you all and your people there."

Congratulations to Angel Volunteers

Dickens Fair , Dec.
A great day that raised over $600. This is a real neighbourhood event.


Hillside Mall, Nov. 21-23
Three days of dedicated effort by a large team of volunteers raised over $2860.


Videa Fair Trade Fare, Nov. 22

This year's Fair Trade Fare was energized by music and dancing right next to the African Aids Angels display where our volunteers raised $870.

Open House Success, Nov. 15

On a beautiful sunny Saturday Our Open House event raised over $5800.

Thanks to all the volunteers and to the Pike family who graciously hosted us.



Commonwealth Pool Craft Fair, Nov.15-16

We also raised $580 at the Commonwealth Pool craft fair this weekend. Thanks to Gail who shared her craft table.


Check below for our next craft fairs.

Where to Find Angels

Angel Craft Fairs

Volunteers in place: Thanks to everyone who signed up.


Nov. 15 Angel Open House 11 am – 4 pm,
971 Madison Ave.

Nov. 15, 16 Commonwealth Pool Craft Fair

Nov. 21, 22, 23 Hillside Mall Fair

Nov. 22, 10 am - 4 pm, Videa Fair Trade Fair,
Metropolitan United Church, 932 Balmoral, off Quadra

Dec. 6 Dickens Fair 10 til 4, James Bay Community School,
140 Oswego

Dec. 6/7 St. Joseph the Worker Parish, after services

Dec. 7 St. Aidan's, after service

Dec. 14 Holy Cross Parish. after services

Saltspring Seeds for Malawi Newsletter

What's happening with Seeds for Malawi?

This group passes its funds on to African AIDS Angels for Malawi agricultural projects. Check out the October newsletter from Saltspring Island.

Malawi Report

Malawi News

Delirah Phiri has just sent a report of last years progress.

Here are some highlights:

45 orphans were supported with school and uniform fees and kerosene for light to study by.

28 youth have been trained in market gardening skills:
“Some people have established their gardens next to our trainees to have access to equipment and the advice of the extension workers. Some ...trainees are taking vegetable gardens as their main source of generating income.”

80 family fragments (mostly AIDS widows and seniors) have been supplied with enough seed and fertilizer to feed themselves for a year.


20 HIV positive persons on ARV’s (antiretorvirals keep the AIDS virus at bay) are supported with food items and farming inputs. No one in the program has died. It is important for people on ARV’s to have enough food. “This intervention is prolonging people’s lives and as a result it reduces the number of orphaned children.”

In total 173 people are supported directly by African Aids Angels at the cost of $108 per person in 2007/08. Each of these in turn supports other individuals in a variety of ways.

The volunteers in Malawi took 50 trips last year delivering food, fertilizer, school fees, and visiting the people who are receiving assistance to monitor their progress. When Stan Shannon, our volunteer from Pender Island, visited Malawi this spring he said he could see there was a very strong personal relationship between the African Angels volunteers in Malawi and the people they serve.

The biggest challenge for next year is the rising cost of fertilizer and gas world wide.